School is almost out, and you know what that means. It’s road trip time! Nothing says summer like
boarding the pets, packing up the kids and hitting the dusty trail to the
nearest family vacation destination. When I was a kid, I considered road trips
an adventure. You never knew what was going to happen. I lived with my grandma
and when Momma Nancy traveled, she packed everything but the kitchen sink. You
had to be prepared. There weren’t any cell phones, only the CB radio. Onstar
wasn’t going to show up if you had a flat.
You had to have all of your tire-changing gear on hand when that Good
Samaritan stopped by to help. Momma
Nancy packed the whole kit and caboodle.
Our car was filled with everything from band-aids to brake fluid. Turns
out, it may be a digital world, but analog tactics still work. Take it from me;
you don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road with children in tow. Be prepared.
Here’s how:
1.
The first item in your road trip survival kit
should be a fully-charged cell phone and car charger. Cell phones are probably
the easiest way to keep from being stranded. You don’t have to count on smoke
signals (aka-the busted radiator) to tell oncoming traffic that you are in
distress. Help is just a phone call away.
Driving through rural America always makes fun. You lose your signal and
your otherwise reliable tool of communication quickly turns into something
that’s only good for telling time. Just remember. Even if you can’t get service,
you can still call the police. It’s as
easy as 9-1-1.
2.
No one ever thinks of jumper cables until they
need them. It happens. You are in such a hurry to get your little bundles of
joy out of the car and into bed so you can have a little peace and quiet, you
don’t even notice that little Timmy has turned on the interior light. It’s been
on all night long when you try to start your car the next morning. Click…click. Oh no! Your plans for the best sightseeing
excursion known to man hang in the balance. Never fear! A good pair of jumper
cables can put you on the road again. Don’t be alarmed if you need a new
battery. A drained battery does not regenerate itself like a lizard’s tail. But
every town has a Walmart, right. Just
remind little Timmy of this extra expenditure when he wants the $18 super
freeze pop and stuffed animal at the theme park.
3.
One word-Flashlight. Being stranded in the dark is no fun,
especially with children. A flash light
can assist adults in changing a tire, as well as be a keep-the-boogie-man-away
tool for the children. Dual purpose…you
gotta love it.
4.
Being cold is no fun either. Bring a blanket… or
three. If you’re taking the annual road
trip to grandma’s house for Christmas, it can get pretty chilly on the way. Load
the thermos with hot chocolate and the backseat with Snuggies. This will be the
only time your kids will want to snuggle with each other without it turning
into a wrestling match.
5.
My personal favorite is the Fix-O-Flat products.
There I said it, and I’m not ashamed. I can change a tire, I just don’t want
to. This instant tire inflater is quick, easy and will allow you to make it the
nearest gas station. Your kids might even think it’s cool to see the “magic”
that unfolds when you revive the tire.
Most times, someone will take pity on you and pull over to help you
change a tire. But waiting is no picnic. Minutes can seem like hours with
little people who are hungry, have to potty or are “bored.”
Take a little extra time to pack the right items. It can
save you some heartache on the road. These are just a few tips that could take
the stress out of roadside emergencies. Make traveling with your family and
adventure. Be prepared.
You forgot to pack entertainment for the kids. Without this you may want to drive off of a bridge.
ReplyDeleteno doubt. A good or even a bad DVD player will keep away the "Are we there yets."
Deletethis is a test
ReplyDeleteGreat advise.. keep it coming!!
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoy your blog. It keeps me laughing and is very insightful.
ReplyDelete